Solar power oahu

On a mission to help Oahu homeowners
“zero-out” their HECO bill with
Solar PV + Battery systems.

HOW MUCH HAS YOUR HECO BILL INCREASED?

Thousands of Oahu homeowners have installed PV Panels and Battery Emergency BackUp and Storage. Today they could not care less about HECO’s rate increases. They have personal home power plants.
They’re Energy Independent.

Let me share how easy and affordable it is to
own your electricity using Solar Power.

Contact Kevin

HOW MUCH HAS YOUR HECO BILL INCREASED?

Thousands of Oahu homeowners have installed PV Panels and Battery Storage. Today they could not care less about HECO’s rate increases.
They’re Energy Independent.

Let me share how easy and affordable it is to
own your electricity
using Solar Power.

Contact Kevin

WHY pay HECO hundreds of dollars every month?

Please send a copy of your most recent HECO bill. This is really all that is needed to begin. Attach it to an email, take a photo and text it, or tie it to a rock and throw it through my window.
It’s all good!

Residential Solar Panels in Honolulu - Solar Power Oahu

1. Let's meet at your home

I’ll arrive prepared with several terrific PV+Battery system options and thoroughly explain all the features and benefits when we meet at your home, over the phone, on a Zoom call or wherever is convenient for you. Evenings and weekends are fine. I want to make energy independence as easy as possible for you.

2. I'll take a look at your HECO Meter

Before we begin discussing proposals, I may ask to look at your HECO meter and the Disconnect Switch. Most homeowners have everything needed to begin Installing their PV + Battery system right away. Some will need extra work, and others may choose to complete a 200 amp service upgrade to prepare their home for “next generation” products and programs. Our experienced, professional team can do it all, just let us handle it. We’re really good. We’re pros.

3. Allow me to answer all of your questions

During my presentation I will Explain the recent HECO tariff program changes, such as Smart DER Export, BYOD and Shift & Save (Time of Use). We’ll discuss your HECO bill and what your plans are for the foreseeable future. Many homeowners are adding on an EV, Split AC or home renovation. Some have kids on the “bounce back” program, moving back in with their families. I will show you the best quality, highest value PV Panels, Inverters, and Batteries available, their specifications and warranties. We’ll go over the proposals I’ve prepared and look at all purchase options with cash, credit card and financing available. There’s no pressure, never happens. I’ll answer all of your questions and if you’re ready, great. If you’re not, that’s fine too. I usually follow up in a few days. Always with courtesy, kindness, and respect.

How Does Solar Energy Work?

1. Solar Panels create Hawaiian Sun Energy For All!
Solar panels receive sunlight during the day which they convert to energy through the photovoltaic effect. Energy from the sun enters the solar panels’ silicon wafers and generates electricity. Solar panels contain silicon cells as the active material which when exposed to sunlight creates free electrons which flow through an electrical circuit.

The quantity of solar panels you will need for your install depends on several factors:

Your home’s SunZone. Homes in Kaneohe near the Koolau don’t get as much sun as homes in Makaha. Some homes require more panels to cover the same amount of electricity consumption.

The Slope and Orientation of your roof. If your home has roof plane facing due South, your panel production will be better than panels on the North side. Today’s PV panels are much more efficient than years ago, and will perform well on the North side, but work best facing south, southwest, southeast.

Your HECO monthly kWh average. Second column from the right on your HECO bill. Nearly every homeowner I speak with today plans to add on an EV or AC Split systems. If that’s your plan, let’s add some extra panels now to cover the increased consumption down the road. Makes sense, right?
2. Solar Inverter converts from DC to AC electricity

The direct current (DC) electricity created by the panels then travels to an Inverter. The solar inverter’s job is to convert the DC energy to AC energy. Most everything in a home uses alternating current (AC) electricity. We offer only a few of the highest quality inverters, only the best. PV + Battery systems must be paired with Inverters to not only match the size of the PV system, but to also communicate effectively with the Batteries, HECO, and the homeowner through monitoring.
3. How do you know your PV + Battery system is working?

Nearly all PV+Battery systems have monitoring you can check through a secure portal on your computer, or by using an app on your smartphone. In the morning, your home receives electricity from the solar panels. Throughout the sunny Hawaiian day, your PV panels are pumping electricity into your home, and into your batteries, usually more than enough to cover the electricity being used!
4. What happens to all the extra electricity my home generates?

With your professionally and correctly designed PV+Battery System, most of the PV panel energy production not consumed by your home during the day, charges the batteries in preparation for evening, night and early morning consumption. Once the batteries are recharged, and the house needs are met, the excess electricity is exported to HECO. Most HECO tariff programs provide meager compensation, HECO’s new Smart DER Export program credits homeowners only $0.135 / kWh Daytime, $0.329 / kWh Evening, & $0.189 / kWh Overnite. It’s far better to have all the power needed for evening, night and early morning stored in your batteries and then draw nothing from HECO. This is true energy independence!
5. Why are Batteries needed?

Batteries are needed for evening, night and morning energy consumption. The HECOs Smart DER Export tariff program credits applied to the excess energy received from your system is only about 20-30% of the cost you’ll pay when buying electricity retail from HECO. It’s just not much help. Many homeowners leave the house at 7am and don’t return until 4 or 5 pm. Their panels have easily covered the energy used by the house during the day, no one was home. Now, what about the window from 5 pm-9 am? Where does that electricity come from? Either from your Tesla PowerWalls or from Franklin WH aPower batteries, or from HECO’s grid. A single Tesla PowerWall Battery holds a maximum of 13.5kWh. The standard is two Tesla PowerWalls – 27kWh of stored energy. For most this assures enough power to cover home consumption through the night, til the PV panels begin feeding the house around 9am. During a “rare” HECO outage, batteries back up the house by keeping the fridge going, the lights on and much more if you have more than a single battery. Today the standard is two Tesla PowerWalls.

Residential PV Panels

HIGHEST QUALITY, BEST VALUE

Maxeon PV Panels

Built from 35 years of boundary-pushing solar DNA, Maxeon Solar Technologies was launched as an independent company in 2020 following their spin-off from SunPower Corporation. They now independently design, manufacture and sell industry-leading solar panels in more than 100 countries around the globe. Maxeon continues to push the limits of solar innovation through the record-setting efficiency and unmatched reliability. The Maxeon cells are manufactured in the Phillippines and the module (panel) is assembled in Mexico.

The SPR-MAX3-415-BLK-R boasts an efficiency level of nearly 22%, and an eye popping 40yr warranty on both Product and Power, with a maximum annual degradation of 0.25%. You will pay significantly more to install this panel on your roof, but if you’re someone who likes to have the very best, it’s a good choice.

Rec PV Panels

REC Group is Europe’s largest solar panel manufacturer. The company was founded in Norway in 1996 and manufactures its solar panels in Singapore. REC is known for pioneering half-cut cell technology in 2014, which improved the performance of solar panels by cutting solar cells in half.

In 2022, REC launched their newest series of solar panels: the Alpha Pure-R. They now offer four series of high power solar modules for residential applications, including Alpha Pure-R, Alpha Pure, N-Peak 2, and Twinpeak 4. REC solar panels are growing increasingly popular – they’re now some of the most quoted and most selected panels in the market.

The REC410AA Pure PV panel has an impressive 22.2% efficiency rating. The smaller, but also very impressive REC365NP2 PV panel comes in at 20%, respectable. Concerned because you’ve never heard of this company before? Move forward with confidence. Under their ProTrust warranty, REC offers a 25-year product warranty on any panels installed by a REC Certified Solar Professional installer, comparable to other leading solar panel companies like Panasonic, SunPower, and Q CELLS. They also provide a 25-year power warranty, which guarantees that their panels will still produce at least 86% to 92% of their original output by the end of the warranty term.

REC Group PV panels will become more familiar in the months and years to follow. These are high quality, high efficiency, moderately priced panels that will perform well. They are here to stay.

Panasonic PV Panels

Panasonic is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of consumer electronics and an increasingly popular choice for U.S. homeowners installing solar. Panasonic’s heteroinjuction technology (or HIT) is included across their product lines, providing a unique take on the solar cell. They announced in 2021 that they would no longer be manufacturing their own panels. Where their panels are being manufactured is somewhat of a mystery. I have Googled many times, many ways and never seem to get a straight answer. There HQ is in New Jersey, but no panel manufacturing is done there.

The Panasonic EverVolt 410 and EverVolt 360 are currently every PV salesperson’s bread and butter panel. Although I really don’t care for their toasters or vacuum cleaners, this is a trusted brand, high quality, high efficiency good looking panel with an impressive warranty.

The EVP410H clocks in with a 22.2% efficiency rating, which is about the best you’re going to find.

Although the efficiency level on the EVP360PK dips below 20% (19.7%), if you have limited roof space this smaller sized panel is the perfect choice. The Panasonic AllGuard/TripleGuard 25yr warranty covers performance, product, parts and labor.

Yes, labor.

Panasonic’s value offered is undeniable. Their PV panels are moderately priced and homeowners buy with confidence knowing this Japanese behemoth (since 1918), will be around to honor their warranty for generations to come.

Inverters, Battery Storage & Some Opinions

Tesla PowerWall 3

Enphase MicroInverter / Enphase IQ Battery

SolarEdge HD Wave / SolarEdge Home Battery

FranklinWH Battery

Panasonic EverVolt 2.0 Battery

Inverters and Energy Storage

There’s a movement away from PV module manufacturing by some of the major manufacturers of the past. Panasonic at one time was producing panels for Tesla, but now relies on REC to manufacture the Panasonic branded PV panel. Tesla no longer focusses on manufacturing PV panels, applying some of their vast resources to hopefully revamping an atrocious customer service department and tweaking the PV roof, which is crazy expensive and often fails to meet homeowner expectations. SunPower is desperately hoping to right the ship by convincing their loyal customers their battery storage solution is just as impressive as their PV panels used to be. Once the Belle of the Ball, SunPower is now lucky to get asked to dance. Maxeon has stolen all of SunPower’s dance partners.

Today, performance of high-quality PV modules is not difficult to provide. Technology of some innovative early PV panel manufacturers has been shared, stolen, and disseminated throughout the market. A top-tier PV module “commodity” now exists providing installers, and ultimately homeowners with a myriad of PV panels with excellent efficiency levels and 25-40 year product, performance and labor warranties. PV panels regularly meet, often exceed output levels stated on their spec sheets. Installers almost never have to roll out a tech person to replace a faulty PV Panel. It is most often the inverters lacking battery compatibility as well as inverter manufacturer’s software upload glitches and hardware component failures resulting in angry, frustrated homeowners.

Established inverter manufacturers, SolarEdge and Enphase, have launched proprietary inverter+battery storage solutions. Both manufacturers have experienced chronic inverter performance issues in the past, but have retooled and now are coming to the table with reliable solutions. Fingers crossed. Panasonic also has come to market with battery storage. All are looking at DC coupled as the future, higher efficiency renewable energy system. And it is.

Until this new generation of product offerings, solar energy installers wanting to offer high quality, top value, reliable PV+Battery systems with competitive pricing and strong warranties needed to combine manufacturers and create a “Frankensolar” solution to satisfy homeowner’s expectations. Today’s DC coupled integration of Inverter+Battery is exciting and game changing. Nothing speaks to this stronger than Tesla’s PowerWall3. Watch out! This product is a total gamechanger. For our Operations Team it’s love at first site.

If you think the renewable energy industry has peaked and has nothing new to offer, you will very soon discover an exciting new level of products providing never imagined complexity, communication, and integration. We are embarking on a new generation that will make all that came before obsolete. Remember when the car you drove had manual window cranks, ashtrays, and antennas? It’s like that.

Roof Type Mounts & Rail

Asphalt Shingle / Wood Shake / Metal Shingle

Rolled Asphalt/ Brai /Flat

Monier / Concrete Tile / Ceramic Tile

Unirac Hanger Bolt Assembly Hanger Bolt with Lead Flange Photo

Metal Standing Seam

About

Since the beginning of the solar power revolution, Kevin Pass has been on a mission to help Oahu homeowners “zero-out” their HECO bill. Over the past decade strong interest in renewable energy has led to incredible innovations that have propelled PV System quality and homeowner investment value to levels beyond what was believed possible. Today, all Hawaii homes must be equipped with a PV + Battery system, it’s the only way to combat seemingly endless HECO cost increases. Kevin commits to showing homeowners an affordable and powerful solution that allows them to self-generate electricity and eliminate the stress and frustration associated with HECO’s out of control cost increases. Kevin likes to meet in person, face to face, at the kitchen table. He takes the time to listen, share his expertise and answer all questions with local-style kindness, professional courtesy, and respect.

Kevin Pass
Senior Solar Project Developer

Contact Kevin for a Quote

testimonials

“Kevin is reliable, thorough and communicates extensively throughout the entire process. He is polite, professional and a pleasure to work with. We give him our highest recommendation.”

Jeff T. (PV + Battery System, 19 – Tesla 395 PV Panels, Solar Hot Water System)

After a bit of roof work, Gavin is happy and proud of his new PV + Battery system.

He will “zero out” with HECO for years to come.

Gavin M. (PV + Battery System, 32 Tesla 400 PV Panels, Enphase – IQ8A MicroInverters and 2 Tesla PowerWall 2

“Kevin Pass and his team are the best in the class. Regardless if it was 1,000 questions or concerns, Kevin was always there. You can’t ask for better than his team.”

Sila P. (PV + Battery System)

“[The entire team] did a fantastic job. We are sooo happy! We will absolutely use them again-no question about it…the guys who came to install the panels were so courteous and friendly!”

Collyer Y. (PV + Battery System)

“I installed my Net Energy Metering PV System with Kevin Pass years ago. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It has performed very well and every month I pay only the HECO connection fee. It was great working with Kevin and his team and I recommend him to everyone considering solar panels for their home.”

Jack K. (28 – PV Panels on NEM System)

“I really like how Kevin provided us options, walked us through each one and then helped us to find the right solution for our home and situation. His knowledge and patience to help us get the right solar solution was greatly appreciated.”